PHOTO: Gemma Halliday, bestselling author of the High Heels Mysteries, at home in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she crafts her witty and suspenseful stories.
A Journey Through Wit, Mystery, And Strong Female Leads
Bestselling author Gemma Halliday shares her unconventional path to writing, the inspirations behind her beloved series, and how she balances humour, suspense, and character in her engaging mystery novels.
Gemma Halliday has never been one to follow a conventional path. From a patchwork of eclectic careers—ranging from preschool teacher to 900-number psychic—she gathered stories, voices, and rhythms of everyday people that now breathe life into her fiction. Her journey into the literary world was not plotted on a straight line, but rather carved through determination, adaptability, and a sharp sense of humour that underpins her signature style.
Known for her bestselling High Heels Mysteries, Gemma masterfully fuses light-hearted wit with gripping suspense, carving out a niche where cosy crime meets modern femininity. Her characters—bold, resourceful, and often hilarious—mirror the author’s own spirited approach to storytelling. There is an undeniable authenticity in her work; the settings feel lived in, the people real, flawed, and endearing.
Whether she’s crafting murder in the vineyards of California or sleuthing through the chaotic pulse of Los Angeles, Gemma keeps her readers captivated with a blend of escapism and relatability. It’s no wonder her books have found such a loyal following across the globe. Behind the laughter and intrigue lies an author who writes not only from imagination, but from a life rich in texture and experience.
What inspired you to transition from such a diverse range of jobs to writing mystery novels?
Honestly? Money. 🙂 But, really that was a very large contributing factor to pushing me to take my writing seriously as a career. A string of odd jobs doesn’t pay very well. But it did make me suited to writing about a variety of different people and walks of life, so I put that “education” to good use.
How much of your personal life or past experiences find their way into your characters or plotlines?
Quite a lot! Especially for my first novel, I pulled from all kinds of people I knew and experiences that I’d had to fill in the blanks of my characters’ lives. Almost all of my characters are based in part on someone I’ve known, and most are based somewhere that I’ve actually lived.
What was the initial spark behind creating Maddie Springer and the High Heels Mysteries series?
I actually started out my career writing romance novels, but I wasn’t having any luck selling them to a publisher. Then I heard of a writing contest sponsored by a romance writing group that had a category called “chick thrill”—combining chick lit/women’s fiction and mystery. I was immediately intrigued and started crafting a “chick thrill” story, which eventually ended up being Spying in High Heels. I’d been an avid mystery reader my entire life, so combining that love with a romantic storyline ended up being a perfect fit for me.
How do you keep each of your series distinct in tone and theme while still maintaining your signature humour and suspense?
I appreciate the compliment! Each of my series has a very different premise that I feel has set the tone for that series. For example, my Wine & Dine Mysteries is set in California’s Wine Country, so it has a lot of descriptions of the beautiful landscapes and the culinary dishes my main character creates, whereas my Jamie Bond Mysteries are set in the fast-paced world of a Los Angeles PI, so the focus is more on the frenetic life she’s leading in a busy city.
With so many strong female protagonists across your books, how do you approach character development for each new lead?
The first series I ever wrote was the High Heels Mysteries. I based the main character, Maddie, on what I saw as a cross between Carrie Bradshaw and Jessica Fletcher—the type of fun, modern character I wanted to see solve a mystery. I was 5 books into that series when I had the opportunity to write a new one, the Hollywood Headlines Mysteries. For this series, I wanted to create a main character that was totally the opposite of Maddie…because while Maddie was a blast to write, I was ready to try something totally new. So, I created the tough, purple-haired, motorcycle driving reporter, Tina Bender. For each series I’ve had the opportunity to write, I’ve always started with the main character and thought about who I wanted to “be” in that series. Because, honestly, all of my characters are at least 50% me.
Do you have a personal favourite among your series or characters, and if so, why?
Choosing my favorite series would be like choosing my favorite child—I just can’t do it! I will say, however, that I’ve really enjoyed working with my co-author, Key Rey, on both my later High Heels Mysteries and the Sherlock Holmes/Marty Hudson Mysteries, because Kelly is just so dang funny. Writing can be a very solitary profession, so it’s wonderful when you’re able to collaborate with someone so talented.
What’s your writing process like when balancing multiple ongoing series?
Quite frankly, I don’t balance very well. I generally have several projects going at once in various stages, from writing to editing to plotting. And I often spend more time on the one that’s more interesting to me in that moment rather than the one that needs my attention the most! I’ve been writing professionally for 20 years, and I’m still working on getting that right balance. Right now I’m working on writing two different High Heels Mysteries (don’t ask why I started two instead of finishing one at a time!) and plotting my next Wine & Dine Mystery. I also have a final Hollywood Headlines Mystery I’ve been fiddling with for a few years. And, I’ve got a brand new project started as well…hopefully I can finish something soon!
What advice would you give to other authors looking to successfully blend humour and suspense in their own mystery writing?
I remember attending a workshop early in my career where the presenter illustrated the difference between drama and comedy. Drama is exaggeration and emotion. Comedy is truth. So, when blending the two, I’d start with a dramatic situation and ask what would someone actually do in that scenario. Most of the time, if I imagine myself and my circle of friends in those situations, the humor almost writes itself.
